We scour the news around the NFL to bring you what matters most to you and your dynasty team: the most current news on players, both superstars and the relative unknowns, and analysis to decipher the respective situations. These are many of the major stories and not meant to be an exhaustive look at all the recent happenings around the league.
While Taysom Hill has put up fantasy points on the ground, his passing prowess has yet to give fans and fantasy managers much to be excited. It was evident in Sunday’s game against Philadelphia. So, it was both surprising and disappointing to see beat reporter Jeff Duncan’s tweet last Thursday morning, “Taysom Hill is expected to start his fourth consecutive game at QB for the Saints on Sunday vs. Philly. I'm told his three-game performance as the starter has only bolstered the confidence internally that he is the eventual heir apparent to Drew Brees' job.” Yes, it aligns with New Orleans giving Hill the big money in the offseason and playing him over Jameis Winston, but still, Hill has not been strong. For those just looking at his numbers, please remember that two of his four games were against Atlanta’s putrid defense. When the time comes that the Saints must throw to compete or comeback in a game, this decision may come back to bite Sean Payton and company.
Last week, the Philadelphia coaching staff named Jalen Hurts the starter. He performed well in a difficult matchup against the New Orleans defense in his first professional start. Hurts has three more games to prove he is the long-term answer for the Eagles. Fellow rookie Jalen Reagor was effusive in his praise after the big win, “He is a winner. He knows how to play. I am proud for him. I am happy to see where he goes … For him to be that natural-born guy, it is kind of amazing. I am proud of him and just seeing him do the things he did tonight, it shows he’s special.” With his cheap salary from being a second-round draft pick, Hurts will remain on the team for at least three more seasons. The only question is whether under center or holding a clipboard.
On Monday, beat reporter Eric Branch tweeted the San Francisco coach’s press conference, “Kyle Shanahan said he's not confident Jimmy Garoppolo will return in the regular season. ‘We're not going to do it if there's a risk.’#49ers.” With Shanahan saying last week that Garoppolo is the presumed 2021 starter, the quarterback will be a cheap buy in the coming weeks. One thing is certain, the offense is extremely weak without Garoppolo under center.
With the 2020 rookie class excelling, there have been some who have yet to play much. One such player is Packers running back AJ Dillon. Last Thursday marked the first time the rookie had practiced in the past six weeks. Green Bay could have used him while Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams were out, but both are healthy now. Plus, it might take Dillon a few weeks to get back into shape after missing so much time. If nothing else, the lack of rookie production should lower his acquisition price this offseason for those who still believe in Dillon’s talent.
Second-year receiver Deebo Samuel has battled injuries during the 2020 season. He went down early in Sunday’s loss to Washington. Beat reporter Jennifer Lee Chan tweeted an update Monday, “#49ers WR Deebo Samuel's MRI revealed a hamstring strain that will keep him out a while no timeline yet.” Fellow beat Nick Wagoner followed up with a quote from the coach, “#49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said the team would need to make the playoffs for WR Deebo Samuel to return this year.” Considering San Francisco’s record, we will not see Samuel again in 2020. Lastly, another beat reporter, David Lombardi, added a quote from the coach, “Shanahan said that Deebo Samuel’s offseason, which was even more compromised than others’ because of his Jones fracture, led to his hamstring strains. ‘He hasn’t been in a position to be in great football shape.’ He told Samuel to use 2020 as a positive lesson for future prep.” Hopefully, the strong season of rookie Brandon Aiyuk and Samuel’s injury-plagued campaign will provide dynasty managers an opportunity to buy at a discount.
Those dynasty managers seeking sleepers for 2021 should look at Washington receiver Cam Sims. The coaching staff is using him more and more. Last Saturday, beat reporter John Keim offered context on Sims’ future, “Ron Rivera, on if Cam Sims could develop into their No. 2 WR: ‘He's done a great job. If he played consistently like that, most certainly. The young man has done nothing but get better. He works hard. He has a bit of a ways to go to get there, but the guy has an opportunity.’" Sims did not have much college production while playing behind future professionals at Alabama. He never topped 14 receptions in a season and only had 41 in his four-year career. The lack of production combined with a 4.59 40-yard-dash put him far off the dynasty radar. But Sims has been able to be a viable NFL receiver and should be seen as a rising prospect with a moderately low ceiling given his lack of physical attributes.
It was unsurprising to see beat writer Paul Dehner Jr. write last week that he expects Cincinnati Bengals receiver A.J. Green will likely play for another team next season. It expected as Green said as much last week after going without a catch in consecutive games. The Bengals have built a young receiving corps with Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, and Auden Tate. We expect Green to be super cheap in dynasty leagues. He could provide WR3 production for a year or two in the right situation. As we have seen of late, there is not much of a market for pass-catchers at the end of their respective careers. The solid game against Dallas gives hope that Green is not washed up. Still, in the Dallas game, Green was third on the team in targets (behind Boyd and Higgins). His six receptions were his first catches since Week 11. This decent game seems to be more of a mirage than an oasis. A change in scenery might be what is needed for the veteran.
In his Monday press conference, Houston Texans interim head coach told reporters that wide receiver Randall Cobb is likely out for the remainder of the season. This just confirmed what the receiver told reporters last week. With Cobb and Will Fuller out of action, Keke Coutee and Chad Hansen are seeing extended action.
Nick Wagoner tweeted from the San Francisco press conference Monday; “#49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said no practice this week for QB Jimmy Garoppolo. There is some hope that TE George Kittle will be able to get into some practice this week.” Patience might be rewarded as Kittle could be back in the lineup this week.
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